About Us

Formerly Carlson Paint, Glass, and Art Stores Inc. and now Carlson Glass and Mirror, Inc., we are a fourth-generation family business started in 1915. The business was originally started by two brothers, Anton and Arvid Carlson, the first generation who immigrated to the Chicago Suburbs from Sweden.

Over the years, the Carlson family branched out to include a wide array of businesses. Carlson & Co., the very first store, had originally started as a paint and wallpaper store in 1915 and had eventually expanded to include hardware, fine art supplies, and custom framing. It was previously located next to 111 E. Front Street in downtown Wheaton.

Back in those early days, when we used to provide the painting and wallpaper labor, our painters came across a lot of windows that needed repairing. The Carlson family saw an opportunity to repair windows alongside their painting work. Gradually the glass repair business expanded and in the 1970s the glass store moved into its current 312 W Front Street location. The 312 W building was originally Hahn Storage and was owned by the Hahn family of Wheaton. The Hahns (German immigrants) lived next door to the Carlson family right in downtown Wheaton. William Carlson, one of the sons of Anton Carlson, married Lucille Hahn and their sons became the second generation to run the businesses along with Richard Carlson’s son and daughter. (Richard was Williams brother – both pictured above – and they also had a sister named Bernice). The glass store has now grown to include table tops, shower enclosures, window and screen repair, framed and frameless mirrors, vinyl windows, patterned glass, picture glass, and more.

Carlson’s businesses have restructured and Carlson Glass & Mirror at 312 W Front St. is focusing on flat glass products and services. We can order frames for pictures and art, and picture framing glass for pictures and art, but we no longer do matting or handle any artwork which used to be done in our framing department. We can also install mirrors in any of our custom frames to make custom framed mirrors to any size. Or if you have your own frames we can install mirrors within them.

Come and see what Carlsons has to offer. We are proud of our long-standing, local, small business and we are dedicated to our employees, customers, and to keeping our small towns strong. Below are some pictures of the many floats we built for the 4th of July parades. The 3rd and 4th generation now run the Glass and Mirror Shop (Below). Check out our website and showroom for ideas and information, and come in or call for a free estimate.

From Left to Right: Bryan, Brad, and Keith Carlson (Manager)